Mike Milbury is mad as hell and he is not going to take it!

So during Sunday's game, Flyers-Rangers, NBC's Mike Milbury was more than upset with the Rangers playing in a crucial rivalry match-up. Granted this was during the first intermission when New York was trailing only 1-0. This was before the Flyers skated all over Lundi and the lackluster Rangers.

Milbury, back to the main point, was near the point where he would be saying four letter words. He felt ashamed that Rangers fans paid good money (which they did) during a poor economy (which we are in) and got to see a travesty of a team. It seemed that viewers were going to see Milbury from his coaching days; swearing at refs and tossing equipment on the ice.

Mad Mike was right, that team played so dull, no life, no emotion and the scoreboard proved that. Despite some effort and a few fights in the third period, there was no pride regained by the blue shirts. In fact I think that when some little kid was struck by a puck (the kid didn't cry!) he would have been more useful on the ice than Coltan Orr or any of their other goons.

This team feels familiar, you know, like those old late 90's Rangers squads that were financed with top dollar free agents but failed to even make the playoffs. Take into consideration about a half a dozen team don't make the playoffs each year, so it's not like the numbers are against them. Poor playing and lack of enthusiasm causes you to miss the playoffs.

He bit him?

The National Hockey League (NHL) has fined and suspended Jarko Ruutu for biting Andrew Peters in last nights game between the Sabres and the Senators.

So let me get this straight, Ruutu, after being face washed by Peters, decided to bite Peters' thumb. According to the AP, he bite down and broke through the glove drawing blood. Really? Was that necessary? I mean its for one thing to leap into the stands and beat a guy with his own loafer or throw a cheap shot when you are about to lose the Stanley Cup (remember that Hextall?), but bite a guy? I find that horribly juvenile. The worst he could have done was actually fought Peters, he's a crummy NHL fighter, so he's got a chance. But no, you decided to play Hannibal Lector.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Peters when he played in Rochester, he was a great fighter, but now, he just prances around and clutches guys during a scrap. THROW A PUNCH! Put some foil on those hands!

Unbelievable!

The Winter Classic is the Best Idea in Ages!

Nothing brought in the new year better than a pond hockey game in a snowy Great Lakes city. Buffalo, forever linked to those early 90's Bills playoff games where the temps were low and the turf was covered in snow. Fans still coming out in droves, some in the skimpiest of attire (the men usually).

But the great sight last New Year's was seeing Ralph Wilson stadium packed with excited hockey fans. Who couldn't have been excited, not only was Sid the Kid coming to town but so was NBC and the whole hockey establishment. The Winter Classic was the NHL's opportunity to reintroduce itself as being different but most importantly a fun, exciting sport again. Though there was little scoring, the feel and the players made up for it. The ending, a shootout goal by Crosby, sealed the deal for the league. No better way than to have the games biggest star score the first game winner of 2008.

Now the NHL has done something smart and are trying to replicate it. Wrigley Field will host the second Winter Classic. The Blackhwaks will host the Detroit Red Wings, a match up of divisional rivals, both of which are tops in the league.

Chicago is trying to rebuild it reputation in the league as a force of youth. Patrick Kane and Jon Toews are the stars of tomorrow.

Detroit is the defending champs led by a veteran core of Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Osgood. These guys are the steady contenders.

Either way it is great to see an Original Six match up. Outdoor games being played in great hockey cities. Obviously it won't be long before we see Toronto-Montreal or Calgary-Edmonton, but those are difficult to draw an American audiance in.

The fact remains these games are great for hockey and great for television. It happens once a year on a holiday with the possibility of a great viewing crowd. Let's keep up the good work NHL, it's been a hell of a comeback.